An old warrior sings in the Diplomat Inn

From FiranMUX

The Diplomat Inn, Palace District

Covis has been drinking for several hours, drowning the sorrows of a painful memory that will never let him go.

Zhurid walks in from the Market Place, the door closing silently behind him.

Oktar Nosharik says in Firan, "There is about a 37 minute wait at present, perhaps you would care to take a look at the menu while we get a table ready for you."

Zhurid requests to be seated at a table.

Artik walks in from the Market Place, the door closing silently behind him.

Artik smiles as he closes the door

Artik nods to Zhurid "Ah, there ye be" {Firan}

Artik looks over at Covis.

Artik tells Covis: "good evening, Mer"

Artik makes his way toward Zhurid

Zhurid looks up "I was wondering when you would get here." {Firan}

Zhurid looks at his menu.

Zhurid looks up from the menu "Might I suggest the cheese pies? They are very good" {Firan}

Artik asks to be seated at a table.

Oktar Nosharik says in Firan, "I'm afraid there aren't any tables available, Artik."

Artik takes a seat at the bar.

Artik looks at his menu.

Artik says in Firan, "but perhaps the cheese...this late at night... something lighter might be more appropriate"

A handsome waiter takes Covis' order.

Artik says in Firan, "those tomatoes look delicious"

A young waiter brings Covis his raspberry wine.

A serving boy brings Artik his tomatoes with meat.

Covis pulls aside the curtain of his enclosed booth to nod to Artik and Zhurid

Covis drinks a healthy draught of raspberry wine

A serving girl brings Artik his red wine.

Artik nods to Covis in greeting

A serving boy brings Zhurid his cheese pies.

Zhurid eats 1 cheese pies.

Covis says "Artik, the songbird...Am I correct?"

Artik looks up at Covis

Artik says in Firan, "Well, the Singer...Aye"

Covis says "I am in need of a musician...you also play an instrument, do you not?"

Artik smiles at Covis "I do, if one is to be found" {Firan}

Artik loses the smile, replacing it with a woeful expression "mine, alas, is lost" {Firan}

Zhurid looks over at Covis "I'm hoping my son will be able to make a new harp for this good Mer." {Firan}

Artik holds his empty palms outward in a plaintive posture

Covis says "Without a benefactor, Artik? Help is to be found among the nobility if one works hard and has talent and respect."

Artik tells you: "Aye, so I am told. of Hard work I have no lack, you can be sure of that...Talent, well I'll have to let ye be the judge of that, M'Lord"

Covis says "With Lord Zhurid's help, you'll undoubtably go far...he does sponsor you, does he not."

Artik tells you: "perhaps a song might while away the time and bring pleasure to m'lord's ears?"

Covis looks towards Zhurid questioningly.

Covis says "Young man...you have settled upon a tough customer...for little would bring joy to me at the present time. It is my anniversary."

Artik turns to Zhurid with a slight look of shock "Lord Zhurid? {Firan}

Covis says "Those that remember his father will always call him Lord, for his father was amongst the greatest of men, he was."

Zhurid blinks "It is an idea, it has been a long time since I sponsored anybody not in my direct family." {Firan}

Artik says in Firan, "I was not aware of M'Lord's high status...when ye said ye were a smith..."

Artik says in Firan, "forgive me if I was overly familiar"

You say "His father was a "mere sailor" whenever one inquired. Such is the nature of his family, to his honor."

You say "In that case, let's hear a song in your father's honor, a song of the battle of the river Anish."

Artik tells you: "aye, that would answer most aptly, eh?"

Zhurid leans back to listen "Please, I love to listen to song" {Firan}

You say "Aptly, indeed. For I may celebrate my anniversary and remember the deeds of men far greater than myself."

Artik settles himself in his chair and breathes deeply

Artik sings the trilling war cries of the battle song!

Artik begins softly, breaking into loud tones as the battle commences

Covis reclines, saddened, and stares into his glass of wine.

Artik uses a nearby table as a drum to beat a military tattoo, as Elianos' forces rise to do battle

Zhurid listens attentively, humming softly to himself.

Artik brings his song to a rousing, patriotic climax

Artik motions to a priestess and they engage in brief conversation.

Artik motions to an old woman and they engage in brief conversation.

Artik tells you: "Lord Commander, was that to your liking?"

Covis says "A good song, my friend. But it carries with it a trifle too much glory. To me, it scarce seems real. I have one for you, but take care not to sing it to often, or in front of noblity."

Covis begins a sad song.

Artik listens attentively

cold the wind in the hills blows, warm the enemies' fire glows, black the harvest of Agadin. Pain and fear and death grows.

Twas love of our clansmen brought us down to Agadin, but in scarcely the time that it takes me to tell, the flower of our country lay scorched by an army, as ruthless and red as the embers of hell.

cold the wind in the hills blows, warm the enemies' fire glows, black the harvest of Agadin. Pain and fear and death grows.

red Bannos, the fox, did the work of the Shammis, Elianos in passion, did no work at all. Twas honor and courage against armies and griffons. The invader's men stood, while our clansmen did fall.

cold the wind in the hills blows, warm the enemies' fire glows, black the harvest of Agadin. Pain and fear and death grows.

Covis takes another drink, obviously finished with his song. A tear rolls down his cheek.

Artik quietly nods "Aye, tis more real that. But not likely a to bring many coins to this poor musician's purse" {Firan}

You say "I'll settle the matter of coins, young Artik. An artist should find the truth and show it to others. I propose to provide you with a stipend, and you can look to finding whatever truth you can. What would it take to keep you in modest comfort.

Zhurid wipes his eyes then looks up "Very beautiful" {Firan}

Artik blinks, slightly taken aback "This is most generous, Mer. And most unexpected... I am sure whatever the Lord offers would be appropriate." {Firan}

Artik tells you: "I would not presume to name a price for my services to such a man as yourself"

You say "Bullshit. I'm a soldier, plain and simple, and have no family to provide for except myself. Name a price, and dispel with the civil niceties for just this night. I find them depressing."

You say "You have a price in mind, state it, Artik"

Artik inclines his head slightly "very well then...." {Firan}

Zhurid looks at Covis in respect.

Artik says in Firan, "would a stipend of say, two hundred stenis a month be appropriate?"

You say "We'll make it 400, then you can even afford a meal."

Artik chuckles a bit, "aye maybe even a drink or two, eh?" {Firan}

Artik composes himself quickly "I thank you for your generosity, Mer" {Firan}

You say "In return, I expect to hear you sing weekly, if I am about town, right here at the Ambassador. If I ever request your presence for a ball or masque, I expect your presence, provided I give sufficient notice of at least 24 hours. Do we have a deal?"

Artik tells you: "Aye, that should be acceptable, Mer."

Awaiting Artik's consent. . .

You hired Artik.

Artik tells you: "might I say that it is not often I meet the soldier with an ear and heart for music."

You say "Most who know me would probably say I'm a man you don't meet every day."

Covis lifts a glass, having never lost his grim expression.

You say "To youth, to art, to love...to Areni."

Artik lifts a glass uncertainly

Artik tells you: "I've always drunk to the first three...and I think I can guess what might be that last"

You say "all of these things, once lost, are gone forever."

Artik motions to a youth and they engage in brief conversation.

You paged Zhurid with 'you have knowledge that I lost my wife at the Battle of Anish, 15 years ago.'.

>From afar, Zhurid nods "Thank you."

Zhurid raises his glass "once lost..." {Firan}

A beautiful maiden takes Covis's order.

A young waiter brings Covis his red wine.

Artik says in Firan, "well, I fear I must leave you, Mers. Tis high time this musician turned in for the evening"

You say "Good night, Artik. Cherish your life."

Zhurid motions to a youth and they engage in brief conversation.

Artik tells you: "as should ye, Mer. As should ye. Things may be lost to us....but while we yet breathe, other things may come to us, as well...if we do not keep them back."

Covis drinks 1 red wine.

You say "But may Unot save us from painful remembrances."

A lovely waitress takes Covis's order.

A serving boy brings Covis his red wine.

red wine

Artik stands and turns to Covis as he heads off to a room "I do not think even he has that power, Mer" {Firan}

Artik tells you: "I thank you for your generous patronage, and hope my songs bring ye some joy, Mer"

You say "Then we are truly at the malicious mercy of the gods, young Artik."

You say "As much joy as could be expected."

Artik grins slightly, "of course we are, Mer. Good evening to ye" {Firan}

Covis drinks red wine.

Artik turns to Zhurid "and to ye as well, m'lord smith" {Firan}

Zhurid nods his head to you "Thank you for the song." {Firan}

Artik looks at the Innkeeper's Registry.

Artik climbs up the gently winding staircase to the rooms above. Artik slowly edges out of view as he reaches the top of the stairs.

Artik has left.

Covis drinks red wine

Covis drifts off to sleep.

Covis rubs his eyes and awakens.

Covis stands

You say "Forgive me Zhurid, I seem to have drunken my self into quite a stupor... how terribly embarrassing."

Covis begins to stumble out.

You pull open one of the double doors, the door opening easily on its hinges. You walk out, the door closing silently behind you.